[bad30th]

I do a decent amount of AutoXing, and want to start road racing track days as well. I know that for AutoX, either open or closed face helmets are ok, but what about most road racing clubs and tracks....what do they require?

Also, should I be looking for a SA2000 rating or will M2000 be ok? I will never have a roll bar in my car....

Thanks

[CMC #37]

Absolut, don't worry, I am taking your query in the spirit of curiousity. Good question! After doing a lot of hot-lapping and racing in our cars, I developed the attitude that more protection is better than less. Since closed-face helmets with big eyeports are really comfortable, why not? Most folks run in autox with their visors up anyway, that takes care of most folks complaints about being hot. My Arai motorcycle helmet came with a vent on top, that also helps keep things cool.

Personally I'd like to see open faced helmets die with my idol, rest in peace, Dale Earnhardt Sr. I also had a friend crash his snowmobile while wearing an open-faced helmet. Unfortunately that cost him many hours and $ of painful plastic surgery. You won't catch him in an open-faced helmet now! That does not equate to your risk in autox, however, caution with a measure of comfort just makes sense.